Scott to produce ‘Mind MGMT’; Smulders on ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.?’; more ‘X-Men’ return; and history of ‘Doctor Who’ film is cast

20th Century Fox has acquired the Dark Horse Comic Mind MGMT by Matt Kindt for producer Ridley Scott, which will be made through his production company, Scott Free, as well as through Dark Horse Entertainment. The story centers on a true crime writer named Meru who is searching for the truth behind a mysterious flight when he stumbles upon a secret government agency made up of psychic spies.

Actor Charlie Rowe (Never Let Me Go) has landed the lead role in a reboot of the BBC’s documentary series Walking With Dinosaurs 3D at 20th Century Fox. The story is about two young brothers who go looking for their missing father. But their adventure leads them to a showdown with dinosaurs in the Arctic. Neil Nightingale and Barry Cook co-direct from a script by John Collee and Theodore Thomas.

Cobie Smulders has confirmed that she may be visiting ABC’s S.H.I.E.L.D TV series, as her Avengers character of Maria Hill. Talks have begun for her to join Clark Gregg from the film, though if it happens, it will not be a full time role, due to her commitment to How I Met Your Mother. With S.H.I.E.L.D. likely to end up on ABC’s fall schedule, Smulders could slide into another series if The Avengers spin-off succeeds.

Director Bryan Singer continues to use his mutant powers of persuasion for another cadre of actors to return to the X-Men franchise as Ellen Page (Kitty Pryde), Anna Paquin (Rogue), and Shawn Ashmore (Iceman) have all agreed to return for X-Men: Days of Future Past. This casting comes on the heels of 20th Century Fox signing Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman to return as well. Production on the sequel to X-Men: First Class is ramping up in Montreal, where it will be filmed. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult all return as well.

The BBC has announced the cast for the Marc Gatiss written docudrama on the creation of Doctor Who. Harry Potter’s David Bradley –Argus Filch- will play the first Doctor, William Hartnell. Bradley, of course, appeared this season as Solomon in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship. Brian Cox, who played Hannibal Lecter in the original Red Dragon movie and in the X Men series, will play the BBC’s Head of Drama Sydney Newman. Verity Lambert, who was Doctor Who’s first producer/showrunner, will be played by Jessica Raine. Also, Sacha Dhawan (History of Boys) will play Waris Hussein, the director of the first serial, An Unearthly Child. An Adventure in Space and Time, which is being co-produced with BBC America, begins filming in early February and will air in November.

Eva Green (Casino Royale) and Julia Garner (Perks of Being a Wallflower) has been added to the cast of Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.